THE BIRD OF PARADISE. 



Emerald li : rd of Paradise, female. 



Golden Bird of Farudise. 



The Birds of Paradise arc natives of New Guinea, and the adjacent islands, and consist of a number of 

 species, but the best known is the Great, or Emerald Bird of Paradise, about the size of a Thrush. The 



wings are large, compared with the bird's other dimensions ; 

 the feathers of the hinder part of the breast and belly are 

 singularly extended into bunches, longer than the body ; and 

 the tail, measuring six inches, is of equal length with it; but 

 what chiefly attracts notice is two naked filaments, which 

 spring from above the tail, and are two feet long, of a deep 

 black color, bearded at the insertion and at the point, with 

 downy feathers of a changeable hue. The female is without 

 these floating plumes of the male. These birds are gregari- 

 ous, always seen in large flocks, and perching at night upon 

 the same tree. They live on fruits, and are said to be par- 

 ticularly fond of aromatics. It has a cry like that of the 

 starling. These birds are killed by the natives with blunt 

 arrows, and sold to the Europeans ; but as this forms a lucra- 

 tive kind of merchandise, the " virtuous" Chinese fabricate 

 specimens of these celestial fowls, of the feathers of Parrots 

 and Parrakects, which they sell to strangers, and by which 

 craft they make great gain. _ 



The Golden Bird of Paradise ^another species, remark- 

 able for the golden hued feathers of its throat, and the long, 

 slender feathers, or filaments, which ornament its head. 



The Incomparable is distinguished by a tail three times 

 longer than the body, by a double crest on the head, and by 

 incomparable magnificence of plumage. 



The Superb Bird of Paradise is remarkable as having at- 

 tached to its shoulders a long spreading plume, capable of 

 being erected at pleasure. On its breast are two pointed lap- 

 pets. With the exception of these, the plumage is velvet 

 black, reflecting green and violet. 



Emerald llird of Piirr>diM, m:ili\ 



(2471 



